Judaism & Morality
Responding to God’s Covenant Jews understand their moral life as a response to God’s covenant. To keep the covenant means following God’s mitzvot.
What is the Mitzvot? Mitzvot means “laws” or “commandments,” but it is more accurate to use “guidance.” The mitzvot spell out how Jews can mirror in their lives the holiness of the God of the covenant. Following the mitzvot helps Jews live in a right relationship with God. The mitzvot are instructions on how to live, and at the heart of them are the 10 Commandments.
What are the 10 Commandments? I am the Lord your God. You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image. You shall not swear falsely by the name of the Lord your God. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Honour your father and your mother.
10 Commandments Con’t.. 6. You shall not murder. 7. You shall not commit adultery. 8. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. 10. You shall not covet.
The Halakhah The Pharisees believed that as well as the written Torah, Moses also received an “oral Torah” on Mount Sinai. This oral Torah consists of the Halakhah, meaning “the path” of Jewish life. The Halakhah contains prescribed ways to apply the commandments in the Torah. Those who live according to the mitzvot are said to follow the path, the Halakhah.
Sin For Jews, a failure to live the covenant is called sin. When one fails to follow the mitzvot, he or she is breaking the covenant. Sin represents a break in one’s relationship with God.
The Covenant With Noah Judaism holds that non-Jews are also obligated to follow some of the mitzvot. These laws include: not committing idolatry not committing blasphemy not murdering not committing sexual immorality not removing and eating the limb of a living animal Establishing a judicial system with courts of law to enforce the first six.
Sexuality All forms of Judaism see human sexuality as a blessing from God and part of an essential pairing of male and female. The Halakhah states that human sexuality is to be celebrated and enjoyed only in marriage. The Talmud permits abortion is only in cases where the mother’s life is in danger.
Source: Van den Hengel, Dr. J. (2011). World Religions: A Canadian Catholic Perspective. Toronto: Novalis, P. 134-136.